Reds sign Pacifique Niyongabire to scholarship contract

Adelaide United is delighted to announce the signing of Pacifique Niyongabire to a two-and-a-half year Hyundai A-League scholarship contract.

Niyongabire, who was initially discovered and given a scholarship to the Adelaide United Football Schools, before being recognised as a talent. He soon joined United’s 2017 National Premier League (NPL) team, and has most recently been part of the Reds’ Foxtel Y-League 2017/18 season, as well as the Club’s 2018 NPL campaign.

A prolific goal-scorer known for his exuberant, back-flipping celebrations and mazy runs through defensive lines, Niyongabire has impressed Adelaide United’s Head Coach, Marco Kurz, so much so that the 17-year-old, who was born in East Africa’s, Burundi, was given his Hyundai A-League debut against Sydney FC in Round 16 this season.

With four goals in just three games so far in the current NPL season, Niyongabire is yet another talented, young footballer identified by the Club’s Football Department and secured for the future.

Speaking on his signing, Niyongabire said: “I am very happy to sign this contract with Adelaide United and I am excited for the future.

“I have been working very hard for this and will keep doing a lot of work to improve my football every day.”

Adelaide United’s General Manager of Football, Ante Kovacevic, said Niyongabire has a bright future ahead of him.

“Pacifique is a talented young footballer that has impressed us from the beginning of pre-season.

“He has continued to work hard and go about his football in a professional manner and this is reward for that.

“Pacifique is still young and definitely has a big future ahead of him and we’re excited to see what that will bring.”

Niyongabire will be contracted until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.